HILLTOPPER NEWS

Hilltopper News is an online project of the Journalism Departmentof St. Edward's University School of Humanities

Summer 2010 FINAL Podcasts

New Bovine Species Catching on in Texas

Hilltopper News reporter Dylan Childs has more.

Older Central Texans Maintain Active Lifestyle

Hilltopper News' Brian Caudill reports.

Summer 2010 Video Podcasts

Austin Named One of Top U.S. Cities to Live

Hilltopper News reporter Dylan Childs has more.

Active Lifestyle Helps Older Ladies Stay Fit

Hilltopper News' Brian Caudill Reports.

Summer 2010 Podcast Newsspots

Recession Dominates Local Economy

Travis County has not been hit as hard by the recession, but the economy remains a major concern locally. Hilltopper News reporter Dylan Childs has more.

Yoga Workout Helps with Healing

Bikrim Yoga is known as a "hot" yoga that not only increases flexibility, but is recommended for ailments ranging from muscle pulls to hypertension and diabetes. Hilltopper News' Stephanie Wright examines this growing exercise trend.

Gaza Politics Felt in Local Jewish Center

Interview by Brian Caudill.

Podcast Interviews

Russian Exchange Student Describes Time with Texas Family

Interview by Dylan Childs

Basketball Fan on Televised Lebron James Decision

Interview by Brian Caudill

Activism Leads to State Regulators Job

Interview by Stephanie Wright

Summer 2010 Web Stories

Lebron James Leaves Cleveland Amid Controversy

by Brian Caudill

Lebron James announced his “Decision” to join the Miami Heat on an hour-long ESPN primetime special. “This fall I am taking my talents to South Beach and play with the Miami Heat,” said James in an announcement made from the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Conn. James signed a six-year, $110 million contract with Miami, where he’ll team up with two other superstars, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

The controversy around the decision stems from James taking his “decision” public. According to Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, the Cavaliers weren’t notified of James’ decision until just prior to his announcement on national television. James didn’t make the call to Gilbert personally; instead one of his business partners, Rich Paul, made the call to Gilbert. Gilbert also claims James didn’t return phone calls from Gilbert ever since the Cavs were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs in June.

While there is much excitement in Miami, there is much anger and disappointment in Cleveland. Fans in Cleveland were shown burning a James Cavalier jersey. There was no one angrier than Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert wrote a letter to Cavaliers fans shortly after James announced he was leaving Cleveland for Miami. In the letter, Gilbert slammed James for leaving Cleveland. Gilbert told the fans “You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.” Gilbert makes a promise he will unlikely be able to keep "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former 'King' wins one.”

While it is way too early to make predictions for next season, Cleveland’s chances of winning a championship before James don’t look promising. Unless Cleveland adds more talent to its roster this off-season, most NBA experts expect Cleveland to win far less than the 61 games it won last year.

2010 World Cup Reopens Calls for Instant Replay

by Dylan Childs

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa has been one of the most controversial in recent memory. The games were filled with players taking dives, missed calls, and missed goals. The heat referees have been placed under has been so intense, that many have left South Africa with police protection, according to the U.K. Telegraph. And so bloggers and fans alike are callingon FIFA to bring instant replay to the games.

Soccer and instant replay have been at odds with one another since games were first televised. FIFA officials argue that instant replay slows down and alters the flow of the game. Others counter that when the game is already stopped, as in when a goal is made or a red card issued, instant replay becomes not only a valuable asset, it's essential.

No body knows this better than England's Frank Lampard, whose second round goal against Germany was never called because it was not seen by the referee still up the field. In viewing the instant replay of the shot, it's clear the ball crossed the line, but only barely.

Maurice Edu, of the US soccer team, had his only goal in this World Cup disallowed because he was incorrectly called offsides. England may have still lost to Germany, but Edu's goal would have been an important victory for the US against Slovenia.

In Johannesburg, FIFA president Sepp Blatter commented to the Associated Press, “we have to open again this file, definitely.” Adding that it would be “a nonsense” not to consider changes. Whatever the result may be, in a field 100 by 130 feet, the challenge and pressure a referee faces to see and call every play correctly is enormous. FIFPro, the group that represents pro players worldwide, is perhaps the strongest advocate of adding replay technology to the game, saying, “The credibility of the sport is at stake.”

Civil Unrest at Canada G-20 Summit

by Stephanie Wright

Civil unrest surfaced in the streets of Toronto, Canada during the G-20 summit meetings on June 25. A rare event in Canada’s history, police used tear-gas and riot control to quell unruly public protests. The province enacted Regulation 233 allowing police to stop, question, search and seize property from any one who passes within 16 feet of security fences downtown. Contributors to the Toronto Sun described this recycled regulation as a violation of civil liberties.

Those who refuse to identity themselves are subject to a $500 fine or two months in prison. This law is reformed from regulations enacted the year Canada joined World War Two in 1939. It was intended to deal with suspicious entities outside government buildings. The regulation was put into effect on June 21st, five days before the start of the meetings, and expires on Monday.

In reaction to the law, anti-globalization protesters vandalized store windows and set fire to police cars. This is a rare occurrence of violent protest in Canada. People arrested say they refused to identify themselves because they felt it violated their constitutional rights.

General counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association tells the New York Times, “This is a tool to effect mass arrest.” More than 600 anti-globalization protesters were arrested in the raid of a university building. No serious injuries were reported.